Des Plaines, IL (July 5, 2020) As many expected and in recognition of the health risks posed by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and decisions by governments and businesses to continue to practice social distancing, URISA has postponed this summer’s Minneapolis and Portland offerings of the URISA GIS Leadership Academy to next year. The St. Petersburg, Florida event remains on the schedule for November.
- St. Petersburg, Florida – November 9-13, 2020
- Minneapolis, Minnesota – June 7-11, 2021
- Portland, Oregon – August 16-20, 2021
At the same time, we have seen that the demand for GIS leadership training is higher than ever. URISA GIS Leadership Academy faculty are working optimizing delivery for instructor-led online GIS leadership training. Because the interaction of each cohort is so important in the Academy, we are limiting attendance at the first virtual GLA to thirty (30) individuals. The first Virtual URISA GIS Leadership Academy will take place during the week of August 3-7.
The curriculum emphasizes best practices and skills-based training taught by GIS experts committed to preparing others for leadership in managing challenges and figuring ways to help groups and organizations achieve their goals. As with the in-person program, attendance at the GLA earns substantial GISP® Education Points.
The cost of attending the inaugural virtual GLA will be 50% of the cost of attending the in-person event; just $600 for URISA members and $800 for nonmembers. The Virtual GLA will require Zoom meeting capabilities. We’ll start each morning at 8:00 AM Central Time, and there will be scheduled breaks, a lunch hour and optional evening networking at the Virtual Hotel Lounge.
The URISA GIS Leadership Academy has enjoyed steady and enthusiastic participation since it was first presented in 2007. Since then, nearly 900 GIS professionals have attended the specialized five-day GIS leadership and management training program that focuses on:
- GIS leadership and management techniques
- GIS Strategic planning
- Successful team development
- Organizational capacity building and sustainability strategies (ROI, innovative funding ideas)
- Program investment and justification
- Change management
- Situation assessment and organizational performance evaluation
- Ethics and professional challenges
- Problem solving
The Academy is taught by GIS leaders (all are GISPs and accomplished in the field). Each GLA includes numerous interactive exercises, team-building tools, and opportunities to delve into topics in a way you cannot do at a large conference. Attendance is limited in size to encourage such interaction and the virtual GLA is capped at 30 participants.
The GLA has likely been on your GIS professional development wish list for some time. Take advantage of the opportunity and register today! For details and online registration, visit https://www.urisa.org/